casts_by_fly

this was my logic that got me started. A 6" magdraft is the perfect entry into swimbaits. A modest jig rod can throw it. The profile isn't really any bigger than a bladed jig or spinnerbait with trailer. And bass from 12" and up will eat it. Aggressively. I bought one and it worked. Then I fished it more and it worked more. So this year I have a couple more, a pair of 8", and some hard swimbaits to go with it.

in 5' or less with a lot of grass I think you'll see minimal practical benefit from live imaging. perspective mode might be useful for you depending how you're fishing. Look up Scott Martin on the Okeechobee tournament 2024 to see shallow grass with livescope perspective. If that's the only benefit though, I wouldn't bother swapping or adding it.

in the bfs realm, there are limited options for an inexpensive off the shelf reel. For what it takes to buy one, you have a cheap and easy solution to throw 1/16oz on a baitcaster.

I know you said tackle, but I haven’t reorganized yet so haven’t dug it all out. But you seem bored so here is the bulk of the new reel lineup. I got an unexpected gift certificate from work so the three reels I was on the fence about all made it to the cart. The last one just came in the mail today. There is a new stradic not in this picture also. From left to right zillion, chronarch, two bantams, an aldebaran bfs, and two Mets. these will be the bulk of what I fish through the year. A few more reels will make spot duty depending on the lake and day.

I never updated this thread after the two seasons but came across it just now as I getting ready to sell it here in the classifieds. a couple notes per my comments above now that I’ve used it for two years. It has held up well despite the plastic feel. I don’t even have any boat rash on it or any other marks. It’s smoother now and less geary than when I first got it. I suspect it had some heavy grease which has worn down over use and it’s now properly lubed and geared. I’ve done my usual light oil on the bearings and moving parts a couple times per season and it’s as smooth as my plastic abus (stx/sx/mgx). The drag is as smooth as anything. the casting performance is good. It’s underbraked a little I think. Until you turn them up and it’s suddenly overbraked. There is a definite sweet spot for a given lure weight and rod. Once you find it, it’s set and forget for that combo the rest of the day. The 832 broke in as expected and was a good pairing for it. all in, I’m happy I bought it and used it. I’m upgrading as I thought I might, but I considered not. It was only because of an unexpected gift card from work that I picked up the shimano. For the cost of one and with just a little tuning it’s a decent little entry bfs reel.

I sure hope so. The medium sized lake down the road is still 20’ low and the ramp is unusable. Water levels this low plus the 8 degree highs for a week are what killed the grass in that lake. It had t come back at all last year and then this again.

the trip report is impending, right....?

except they don't have one now and we're past the deadline. I think they are a playoff finalist level, but they are going to have to figure out some defense that isn't immediately obvious.

If I get to pick two, and the first is the beaver with a 3/8 weight, then the second is 1/8 oz and a smaller plastic. If forced to choose its probably a boar hogz but I could be convinced by any number of 5-6" worms. With these two, you've got faster and slower fall rates. With the beaver you can cover some water quickly or pitch to targets. With the lighter one you're slowing down (or pitching to targets) and also offering a much skinnier profile.

that should be a pretty awesome jerkbait rod. Also would be a nice small crankbait rod for squarebills and smaller DT4 types. I have an older st croix with the same spec/flex and its a neat little rod for a couple specific things.

I’m with Dwight. 10# domestic braid is actually 15+ # strength depending on the brand and model. I’ve even considered dropping to 6-8 rated for finesse work. I’ll throw 6-10 leader depending on the situation.

I’ll send you a private message here.

We were right on the edge of snow and rain/sleet. It started as sleet for a half hour and then went big fluffy flakes which dropped 2-3” in a half hour. Then finished with an inch of glass pellet sleet. It compressed down to about 3” depth but the top was so crusted I slid a gallon jug of washer fluid across the top of it and didn’t leave a mark. Fortunately the fluffy underneath wasn’t glued to the pavers so the snow blower sorted it all out. Good too because it’s dropping to low teens tonight and going to be cold for a few days.

hi Walt, I just put a deposit on a boat yesterday so I’m ready. I was just looking at it in the garage and getting ready to list it. If you’re interested we can get together and you see it. rick

You still need an N model. You’ll get 2d from the ultrex. Then your side imaging will have to be from the stern transducer.

And for the helix, you will need an N unit. Given the sales going, a g4N will be the best option for price. The rest of the letters are the functionality. If you want side imaging you need an MSI. And it will give you all of the other functions with it (gps, mdi, 2d chirp).

my money. I have a budget but with the right justification I can consider options and upgrades. and yes it’s a storm. I have a 20’ garage and wanted a rod locker. That brings it down to about 3 or 4 boats that work, new or used. The dealer has a 1600 they are trying to clear out well under MSRP such that a new boat will be very close to a used boat price and I’ll have the full history. I’m team humminbird/minn kota.

Hi Gents it’s silly season for a lot of us. I’ve got 8” of ice everywhere. The current forecast isn’t conducive to ice out before march and it might even be April ala @A-Jay latitudes. Ive loved my autopilot. It’s a phenomenal fishing machine between autopilot, the stability, and the overall platform. But, on the 500+ acre lakes the travel time is tough. You can work around it but it’s tough. And loading and unloading everything each trip gets old. So I’m buying a boat. I’ve talked about it here and in-depth with a couple of you (thanks!). I’ve looked at options and availability. And I’ve settled on a crestliner. I have a tiny garage and i want a rod locker. Based on what fits, this is what we’re doing. So, 16’ aluminum crestliner with a 9.9. How are you rigging it out? Trolling motor? Electronics? Accessories? Other? I have a good idea what I’m doing but what say you? What would you rig? I may or may not include it in the final built but it’s winter and I’m paying. Rick

and the lakers backups without Luka or LeBron just beat a pretty decent pacers team. They didn’t look exciting or explosive, but if a bunch of backups and second tier guys can do that it’s pretty optimistic. Then add those two on top…

very true around here. Weedy natural lakes for the most part. Plenty of pads, milfoil, and pondweed. I stayed off the heavier rods for a while, but then once you start fishing one you realize how much easier it makes a lot of things.

I also prefer humminbird side imaging to the point that I deal with ml1 and keep the better side imaging and familiarity. Mega live 2 looks like it closes most of the gap to garmin so if the explore units are as good as they look that’s a no brainer for me.

The HCJ also makes a pretty good rod for slinging 1/2 oz chatterbaits a looong way and covering water. Big flat? Go for it.

“Go bigger, go smaller”- that’s my plans for this year. I started with 6” magdrafts and Ned’s last year after not really fishing either much before. I liked both. The first part of that plan (with respect to falcon) is coming together. I used the 10% off gift card plus 20% off everything sale to get a Cara big bait rod for $180 real dollars. I used the eye crosser and the amistad to throw the magdrafts last year (regular and freestyle with a 3/8 hook). Both worked but you had to work a little harder than you’d think. The big bait is 7’9”, 1-5oz, and full rear grip. Nominally a 7 power and heavy/fast. I’ve only done a little lawn casting with a freestyle, but I am going to like it. Compared to the amistad, I think they’ve added 6” of power to the butt and powered up the bottom half, but then ‘stretched’ the top half by 3”. I bet they have the same tip size and measurements in the top 12” of the rod, but it’s better supported and smoother than the amistad for heavier stuff. Can’t wait to get it on the water.

with braid you can get by as a Carolina rig rod, but if you’re planning to drag a half ounce and a chunk you can do better in the falcon lineup.

for a warranty replacement they will let you upgrade for the retail difference. On just a rod? You’d have to call or email and ask.